Well, last month it was my BIG birthday and I got a flight in a Tiger Moth as a present. I will be flying form an airfeild in Ashford Kent... I got the idea from watching the documentary on C4 this February where they took four young pilots and gave two of them the chance to train in the only twin seater Spitfire left in the world, which is based in Duxford I think.

Thing is although I really like the idea of this I am not sure if I will poop my pants cos I am not the worlds happiest with heights http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/blink.gif I have flown in a monoplane from Biggin Hill where I come from, but that was a good 20 yrs ago and I think I enjoyed it - I can't remember!

Anyway, anyone here been up in one of these old buzzards and what are they like? Do I need to wear a nappy and/or wear a blindfold?

Tickety boo...
Gazzamataz
http://www.gazzamataz.com

GazzaMataz

04-28-2004, 06:12 AM

Well, last month it was my BIG birthday and I got a flight in a Tiger Moth as a present. I will be flying form an airfeild in Ashford Kent... I got the idea from watching the documentary on C4 this February where they took four young pilots and gave two of them the chance to train in the only twin seater Spitfire left in the world, which is based in Duxford I think.

Thing is although I really like the idea of this I am not sure if I will poop my pants cos I am not the worlds happiest with heights http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/blink.gif I have flown in a monoplane from Biggin Hill where I come from, but that was a good 20 yrs ago and I think I enjoyed it - I can't remember!

Anyway, anyone here been up in one of these old buzzards and what are they like? Do I need to wear a nappy and/or wear a blindfold?

Tickety boo...
Gazzamataz
http://www.gazzamataz.com

TgD Thunderbolt56

04-28-2004, 06:20 AM

It should be a hoot.

Because of the "vintage" nature of the airplane, I doubt they will push the envelope of aerobatics. I would expect they would do a simple fly-about, but doing a short stint in an open cockpit is a rare opportunity that you should greatly enjoy.

Yeah, I went up in one last year, as a special present for my 50th birthday. I could've had 30 minutes for $120 (Aust) but I went for the full hour at $200.

The pilot asked me if I wanted to just cruise around and enjoy the scenery of have the 'optional aerobatics'.

"Give me the works - everything you've got - I want my two hundred bucksworth!", I said, with much bravado.

Anyway, once we were up and he thought I was starting to feel comfortable, he indeed did give me the works! I must admit all the rolls, loops and tight turns did make me feel slightly queazy, and I reckon he pulled as much gee as was safely possible in that tiny yellow biplane.

But, the 'piece de resistance' for me was when he dove for a bit of extra speed, then pulled back into a steep climb, and then did a stalling turn. I came close to barfing but just managed to control it!

Did I enjoy it? Damned right I did! Would I like to go again some day? Damned right I would! .....but next time, I might forego having breakfast first!

If any of you guys get the chance to go up in an open-cockpit biplane, grab it! The sensation of flight is fantastic, the view is superb and the rush of air on you face will help to keep you fresh. I've been up in a considerable variety of aircraft types and this was top stuff!

Bye for now and best regards to all,
panther3485

ELEM

04-28-2004, 06:40 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GazzaMataz:
Anyway, anyone here been up in one of these old buzzards and what are they like? Do I need to wear a nappy and/or wear a blindfold?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No point in going up if you're going to wear a blindfold! I have flown open cockpit a/c for about 15 years, yes, including a Tigermoth. Tell the pilot you are bit nervous and he will fly the a/c very gently. The sights, sounds and smells in the Tigermoth will give you a sensory overload. You will love every moment of it. I dont like hights myself even though I'm a pilot. It's a different sensation to looking down from a tall building or cliff, you wont tend to get that same feeling of vertigo. I bet you will be bitten by the bug and want to do it again!

www.nightbomber.com/forums (http://www.nightbomber.com/forums)
Also the home of 242 Squadron "Baders Bastards"

frior-one

04-28-2004, 07:41 AM

you'll love it. i bought the same present for my wife last year for her 40th. she had a fantastic time. she flew from Headcorn in kent. her pilot was brendan o'brian, the same guy who did the the testing with the spitfire hopefuls. she had a fantastic time. the pilot did hedge hopping, touch and goes. at the end she even did some areobatics, barrel roll, full loop, hammerhead (stall turn). it was something she had always wanted to do as her dad (no longer with us) repaired them during the war.

Bansai Potato

04-28-2004, 08:43 AM

I can guarantee you will love it, i have had many hours flying time in open cockpit biplanes, including numerous Tigermoths, a Bucker Jungmann and a Boeing Stearman. Once your up there and you have the wind in your hair, you'll love it, nothing compares to flying open cockpit, especially when you go inverted, if you have a good pilot he will be able to roll and your butt wont come off the seat, if however he is not so hot, as you go inverted the positive 'G' pushing you into your seat may disappear, thats when you hang on your straps, which take it from me is an experience in itself, make sure you strap in tight http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I have been flying in open cockpit biplanes for years yet every time i go up i'm wearing a permanent grin from ear to ear, which is pretty dangerous in that icy slipstream, i once came down and could'nt stop grinning for hours, till me face thawed out http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif

"Oh there is second two seater spit at Duxford btw, a lovely speciman just like Carol's Spitfire"

Its not actually the same as Grace's Spitfire, her spitfire has the rear seat directly behind the pilot along the same eye level. The Spitfire you refer to being restored at the moment is an Irish Trainer type TR9 this has a slightly different cockpit arrangement, the front cockpit is pushed forward just like Grace's but the rear cockpit is set higher, the pilot configuration is more like an apache gunship, from the side view you see two seperate forward windscreens and two seperate sliding canopies behind them, with this arrangement both pilots get clear un-obstructed views forward.

Also theres a 3rd two seater being built in the UK, i know this because i work at the company building it, in fact i am making a fin section skin for it now, (tea-break at the mo.) Lucky old me i guess http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

www.nightbomber.com/forums (http://www.nightbomber.com/forums)
Also the home of 242 Squadron "Baders Bastards"

GazzaMataz

04-28-2004, 09:34 AM

First off I am amazed at how many real pilots there are on this forum - well it is a flight sim forum what did I expect!

Second, I realise I am not the oldest person here. I thought it would all be youngsters.

Finally,
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I dont like heights myself even though I'm a pilot. It's a different sensation to looking down from a tall building or cliff, you won't tend to get that same feeling of vertigo.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is quite interesting cos when I say I don't like heights these are the ones I mean - buildings and cliffs! BTW a fear of heights is actually called 'acrophobia'. Vertigo is an inner ear imbalance/condition that can be brought on by acrophobia and other things.

Story
I have flown in a monoplane before and I do remember twitching a bit during take off and banking sharply over the conning tower at Biggin Hill. But after a while I thought it was great - until the pilot (he was a typical biggles type with handle bar moustache) said hold the stick while I take some photos.

He promtely pulled back the hood and started hanging out of the cockpit taking photos whilst I was frozen to the stick my eyes fixed to the artifitially horizon making sure the plane was dead level...

We actually flew over to Blackbush airshow that day and he was impressed that I knew quite a few of the aircraft (the WWII ones). Since I had a mate with me we came back in separate planes following each other - it was a great day and I didn't really need to change my pants http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Tickety boo...
Gazzamataz
http://www.gazzamataz.com

Strange_361st

04-28-2004, 09:39 AM

Oh you'll love it.. tho I have not flown in a open cockpit. I've flown in a 1944 AT-6 advanced trainer a few times. I've gotten the full works, including some hands on time. Learned how to do wing overs, rolls.. and loops which I'm still not fond of.

We got one of those for my father in law and lemme tell yah I should have bopped him on the head and stole his ticket !! He had a great time the pilot did a wingover and then a couple of loops. He even let him take the controls for a while which I thought was awfuly generous still I guess the pilot didnt know him as well as me lol

You will have a great time and even if you dont enjoy it you will definatley have an experiance to remember for years to come.

Good luck and enjoy S!

TX-EcoDragon

04-28-2004, 02:09 PM

First point is, you will love it! Getting some stick time can help many people as well, that is if it is an option. Many of my passengers tend to look straight down, or fixate on the panel or controls, while pilots tend to look up and around a little more. . . . also, much of what happens to make people feel queesy is stress/anxiety related, so don't psyche yourself up about it. Open cockpit flying is really great, especially in scenic places, and you will certainly love it even if the flying is "tame" if you do want some basic aerobatics there are many manuvers that are very low G and still very fun, barrel rolls, aileron rolls (roll rate too slow to not hang in the straps in the tiger moth though), and wingovers, all can be extremely smooth and gentle, loops would be a good way to feel some elevated Gs on the order of +3-4 Gs, if after a few of those you want more then try a hammerhead or a 1/2 cuban 8! This should be towards the end of the flight once you have grown accustomed to the other sensations, and should be pretty fun for you!

Edit: And I forgot to add, there is an elevated level(no pun intended)
of acrophobia in the pilot community compared to the non-pilots. . . which is interesting!

First Slot Pilot Aircraft #4 of the Virtual Haute-Voltige Team
http://www.vhvt.com/

http://www.attitudeaviation.com/

http://www.txsquadron.com/uploaded/TX-EcoDragon/ravenvert.jpg

Das_alte_leid

04-28-2004, 02:10 PM

Hey guys

I went to Duxford a couple of years ago. â£100 and a half hour flight in a tiger moth.

Wow.

It was incredible. I'm training for my licence, and to actually fly a 70 year-old aircraft...

Wow.

I mean, it's 55 years older then me!

Pretty cool.
I told the guy about me learning, and he asked if I wanted to fly it, or for him to do some 'advanced manuevers'

BOTH i cried!
Amazing. Couldn't do a loop/stall turn/barrel role in a traumahawk.

Last year i was at Legends, and was offered another flight. But i couldn't. I'd just witnessed the crash of the FIrefly, and it kinda put me off.

Man I am kicking myself for that.

Anyways, TAKE UP THE OFFER my friend. It is well worth it!

S

Zwitter raus...

Huckebein_UK

04-28-2004, 03:32 PM

Definitely - got a flight in the Duxford T-Moth for my 17th last year. It was absolutely FANTASTIC. You'll never forget it mate, and for all the right reasons. http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Being unconfortable with heights will not be a problem. The perception of height is almost entirly based on having a reference like a wall, a ladder or something like that to follow. In a plane, you'll lose all sense of altitude once you're above the treetops.

I'm, yeallous as hell of you. Flying in an open cockpit biplane is very high on my wishlist.
_
/Bjorn.

Go for it....Was lucky enuff to have my basic training in one back in '46 compliments of the Canuck government and loved every minute of the 12 hours of it. I envy you...All I get into now a days is a 172 or some such and it isn't near the thrill...Of course I was 16 at that time so there may be some memory loss...LOL

AWL_Spinner

04-28-2004, 08:25 PM

Great thread. Really good to hear all this as my girlfriend got me the same present and I have yet to take it. I'm actually on a flying holiday at the moment over in Canada (Cessnas, in the main) but am aiming to go up in the Tigermoth soon after I get back to Blighty.

I've flown a few things, including aerobatics in a Nanchang CJ6, but I've never been in a bi-plane and cannot wait for the experience.

Cheers, Spinner

PS. It's all true re: vertigo. I suffer really badly on tall buildings and bridges but never feel safer than when in an aircraft.

http://www.alliedwingedlegion.com/members/signatures/spinner_sig.jpg

Skarphol

04-29-2004, 02:09 AM

You should definitively go for it! Acrofobia will not be in your mind at all!

I've flown a Tigermoth 3 times, and once I gave my girlfriend half an hour as a in it as a present. She loved it!

One thing to remember though, is that there is quite a draft at your feet in the frontseat of a Tiger Moth, (at least on the two I've flown) so you should wear really warm clothing and winter-boots. I wore a 1930's style sheap-skin dress, and it did the job...

Skarphol

"Trying is the first step towards failure!" Homer Simpson

GazzaMataz

08-02-2004, 03:00 AM

Well chaps, I was up in the Moth on Saturday at about 6 in the evening on a beautiful day which just what I wanted. The pilot was Brendan O'Brien - great chap!

Anyway, I wasn't nervous, I did have to wait a bit because they were running late. This was the first time I had been up in a small plane for 26 years and the first time in an open toppped one. Anyway, got in and up we went. He did his first sharp turn - ooooh - nope no cacking it - I was amazed. He was singing away and I was taking in the wonderful, I mean wonderful view!!!

We climbed to 1,200 feet and my mind was buzzing. I kept thinking this is what all those RAF pilots trained in before they went onto Spits and Hurricanes - I was priveleged.

Then came the best bit, we droppped down to about 50 feet and flew over the marshes just north of Sittingborne. It was fantastic. Swooping low and doing sweeping turns - I could have stayed there all day waving at the people on there boats.

I kept saying to myself I am quite happy just going along for the ride and the scenery, I don't think I am really pilot material. 'Right' said Brendon, 'now you take control and keep her nice and level then you might want to do a few turns'. 'Oh-oh, me?' I didn't have much choice so I was in control... hmmm not to bad really got to feel the wind on those wings. Pulled the nose up, pushed her down. Then I moved the stick gently to the right and then the left - obviously I wasn't pushing it enough cos it didn't do much. No, I wasn't nervous so much as tense - Brendon even started to massage me shoulders as we where flying.

'Right, I'll have control back, do you want to do a roll?' I started to tighten me straps as we flew over Leeds Castle. 'Er, no' I said. 'I am quite happy, just flying along'. 'How about a loop?' 'Er, not sure' I said http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/blink.gif. 'You won't get another chance, it will only take 20 seconds'. 'Nope', I said 'I am quite happy just flying'. He was wonderfully persausive, and part of me did want to go for it but I wasn't sure if my nerves were up to it - it was all a new sensation. 'You're not feeling sick are you?' http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif. I started laughing 'no, I am more than happy just flying along'.

So we finally came into land. 'You're at a bit of an angle' I said, 'you want to come in more steeply' he said giving it full rudder, 'how about on on wheel?' So we touched down at a silly angle on one wheel and I was over the moon with me experience http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/16x16_smiley-happy.gif.

I did kick myself afterwards for not trying a roll, it would have given me a good taster and if I had liked it I would have done the loop and stall turn but I said I would be back - and I will!

Sorry to bore you all but I just wanted to let know about my experience. I was buzzing for several hours afterwards and just wanted to go back up again the next day. Aggh well better start saving. I even started looking in getting a pilot's licence http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

'Happy Days, the full Monty next time' http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif

Tickety boo...
Gazzamataz
http://www.gazzamataz.com

AWL_Spinner

08-02-2004, 03:50 AM

Great to hear you enjoyed it GazzaMataz! I'm going up in a Duxford 'moth over the bank holiday weekend at the end of August. Will post my experiences afterward.

Hope I get Mr. O'Brien!

Cheers, Spinner

http://www.alliedwingedlegion.com/members/signatures/spinner_sig.jpg

Slechtvalk

08-02-2004, 03:55 AM

You didn't make any photo's?? Thanks for sharing, it was a nice read.

http://fxgranveau.free.fr/tigermoth11024.jpg

GazzaMataz

08-02-2004, 06:12 AM

You want ta see my ugly mush? Here ya go! Fraid its a snap off me camcorder so bit blurry, but father took some better pictures so I will post one of them.

God, it brings it all back I wanna go up in it again http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/16x16_smiley-sad.gif
http://www.gazzamataz.com/images/Tiger_Moth.jpg

Tickety boo...
Gazzamataz
http://www.gazzamataz.com

lindyman

08-02-2004, 06:41 AM

Glad to hear you enjoyed your ride. No problem with the fear of heights, eh?

Hope you can go for the PPL next; it's a wonderful thing being able to do all that on your own, whenever you feel like it.
_
/Bjorn.

budvar62

08-02-2004, 07:05 AM

Hi there - just got back from 2 weeks hols and that included a flight in a Tiger Moth for me too! I flew out of Sherbourn nr Leeds in a 1939 aircraft that had actually been used as a trainer for spitfire pilots - and was still painted in WW2 camoflage colours - 7th heaven. Anyway - you'll know how exhilerating the whole experience is and just wanted to say I know how you felt. I have several hours in gliders so although I couldn't land or take off once airborne my totally excellent QFI Steve (big thanks Steve!!) gave me control for over an hour - flew up to the White Horse at Sutton Bank - past the glider field there and back pasy some actual and disused RAF and USAF airbases.

The flight was a birthday present from my girlfriend - she is absolutely the best!

I've got a wadge of photos if anyone can tell me how to post them...

Anyway - glad you enjoyed the whole experience Gazza - I didn't do any aerobatics either - the plane is due for refabric-ing next year so they're being gentle with her - sobering thought at 1500ft... Was still a totally amazing experience tho http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/16x16_smiley-wink.gif

GazzaMataz

08-02-2004, 08:34 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Glad to hear you enjoyed your ride. No problem with the fear of heights, eh?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
None whatsoever! I think my brain just says your up in the air you cannot fall.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Hope you can go for the PPL next; it's a wonderful thing being able to do all that on your own, whenever you feel like it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I am tempted! But I think the missus is dead against it... plus it can get a bit expensive. But I am in the right location todo it since I am only 2 miles down the road from Biggin Hill airport http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Tickety boo...
Gazzamataz
http://www.gazzamataz.com

tHeBaLrOgRoCkS

08-02-2004, 09:53 AM

Great little short story there mate thanks. And I am really glad you enjoyed it. I gotta admit I am kinda like you about the rolls and inverted stuff but would love to try them.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I gotta admit I am kinda like you about the rolls and inverted stuff but would love to try them.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, apparently I was the only one who didn't do any aerobatics that day http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif But I don't think that is too fair since most of the others had been up before or were training for their PPL o r had corks up their jacksies http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif

Tickety boo...
Gazzamataz
http://www.gazzamataz.com

tHeBaLrOgRoCkS

08-03-2004, 07:07 AM

Lol indeed the corkage factor does seem to be pretty high amongst the pilot fraternity/fan club but thankfully they are not all like that lol

is it me or is it getting hot in here http://ubbxforums.ubi.com/images/smiley/59.gif